TWO ARRESTED IN ILLEGAL EXTORTION USING MTI VEHICLE

TWO ARRESTED IN ILLEGAL EXTORTION USING MTI VEHICLE

25-MARCH-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The police have initiated action regarding an incident of illegal extortion involving a Scorpio vehicle displaying an 'MVI' board, which occurred on Mill Road within the jurisdiction of the Ara Nawada police station on Monday.

An FIR has been registered in this matter based on a written complaint submitted by Sub-Inspector Chandeshwar Kumar of the Nawada police station. The registered FIR names two individuals—Ritesh Kumar (son of Rampravesh Rai), a resident of Dakshini Chak village under the Athmal Gola police station in Patna district, and Parmit Kumar (son of Arunendra Kumar), a resident of Avgari village under the Avgari police station in Nalanda district—as the accused persons who were seated in the Scorpio. A OnePlus mobile phone was seized from their possession.

In his written complaint, Sub-Inspector Chandeshwar Kumar stated that on March 23 (Monday), at approximately 12:24 PM, information was received that a Scorpio vehicle bearing an 'MVI' board was parked near the Purwari Gumti in Bandhan Tola. The occupants of the vehicle were reportedly taking photographs of passing vehicles on their mobile phones and demanding illegal payments. It was further reported that local residents had surrounded the Scorpio, blocking the road and disrupting traffic flow, thereby creating a law and order situation. Upon apprising senior officials of this information, a police team proceeded to the Purwari Gumti in Bandhan Tola to verify the report and take necessary action.

Upon arrival, the police found a crowd of 80 to 100 people surrounding the Scorpio, which prominently displayed a board reading "Government of Bihar – MVI Bhojpur." Two individuals were seated inside the vehicle. During the subsequent inquiry, local residents informed the police that the Scorpio had an 'MVI' board affixed to its front. They alleged that the occupants of the Scorpio were taking photographs of passing vehicles on their mobile phones and demanding illegal monetary payments. Furthermore, they were reportedly threatening to issue traffic challans (fines) to individuals who refused to pay the money. Upon being questioned about the Scorpio, the occupant of the vehicle stated that the car belongs to Smriti Sagar, the MVI (Motor Vehicle Inspector) of Bhojpur, Ara, and that she keeps it in her personal use.

When asked about the allegations leveled against the two individuals seated in the vehicle, no satisfactory explanation was provided. Subsequently, the OnePlus mobile phone in the possession of Parmit Kumar—one of the occupants—was examined. This examination revealed that the device contained photographs of various vehicles traveling between Bandhan Tola and Dharhara, with their registration numbers specifically highlighted. This suggests that the allegations made by the public are indeed well-founded. Consequently, the aforementioned Scorpio and the mobile phone were seized. In connection with this incident, a request has been made to register a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the law against the arrested individuals—Ritesh Kumar and Parmit Kumar—on charges of misusing government property of the State of Bihar and engaging in illegal extortion.